title: [Management of spinal cord compression in Togo].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of spinal cord compression at the Lomé-Campus teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the files of all patients hospitalized for spinal cord compression at Lome-Campus teaching hospital from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  39 files were selected, mostly of men (77%). The mean age was 53 years (range: 22 to 79). Median time from the start of symptoms to hospital admission was 14.9 ± 24.5 weeks. The spinal cord compression was confirmed by myeloscan in 35 cases (90%), myelography in 2 (5%) and magnetic resonance imaging in 2 cases (5%). The thoracic spine was the most common site of involvement. The principal cause was malignant neoplasm (17 cases: 44%), followed by cervical spondylotic myelopathy (9 cases: 23%) and Pott's disease (7 cases: 18%). Only one patient underwent surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal cord compression appears to be a rare condition in Togo. It is a true medical emergency and immediate intervention is required. Its management remains precarious and its prognosis poor.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie générale, CHU Kara, BP 18, Kara, Togo. iroukorakassegne@yahoo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kassegne
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakiye
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanassoua
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Beketi
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Badiane
authors.forename: K A A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Balogou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014037:Togo; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Togo; spinal cord compression